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Maine to DC Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 2025

Planning a 671 mile interstate move from Maine to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs row houses, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce on Chicken
  • DC housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in DC is 32.09% more expensive than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Maine to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Maine to DC featured image

Top Maine to DC Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Maine to DC

9.61/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Vacationland Moving featured image

Vacationland Moving

9.02/10
Superb

Maine to DC Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to DC

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Rural isolation
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Less diverse population
ProsDC iconDC
  • Milder winters
  • More job prospects
  • Vibrant city life
  • Rich in cultural events
  • Diverse cultural melting pot

DC iconDC
  • Less natural scenery
  • High cost of living
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • More crowded environment
  • Noisy urban areas
Maine iconMaine
  • Coastal beauty
  • Low cost of living
  • Slower pace
  • Close-knit communities
  • Quieter atmosphere

Pros of moving from Maine to DC

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to DC with more job prospects
  • Swap the rural isolation of Maine for vibrant city life in DC
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in DC

Cons of moving from Maine to DC

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Maine to live with less natural scenery in DC
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle for the con of a high cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to a slower pace and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in DC
  • Swap close-knit communities for a more crowded environment

Maine vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineDC
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishClam ChowderMumbo Sauce on Chicken
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry CobblerVegan Ethiopian Cuisine
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Fore Street
  • The Lost Kitchen
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Zaytinya
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Maine to DC, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Clam Chowder and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce on Chicken and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Cobbler they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and The Lost Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.

When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and DC

ComparisonMaineDC
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRow Houses, Federal
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLakefront Access, AcreageProximity to Metro, Rooftop Decks
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Row Houses and Federal architecture typical of DC.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront access and acreage, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and rooftop decks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • DC has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • DC housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in DC is 32.09% more expensive than in Maine.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and DC

ComparisonMaineDC
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, Cold WavesHeatwaves, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70-80 / 50-6087-89 / 68-71
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)25-35 / 10-2044-47 / 28-31
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4240
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6115
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to DC. DC gets 2% more sunshine days than Maine.
  • DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and hurricanes in DC.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 17 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and DC

ComparisonMaineDC
Avg. Household Income$69,543$101,027
Cost of Living Index116.5140.1
State Income Tax5-7.15%4-10.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.09%0.61%
Avg. Sales Tax5.5%6%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Fishing, TourismGovernment, Education, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 45% more than in Maine
  • The COLI in DC is 20% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in DC is 4-10.75% compared to 5-7.15% in ME
  • The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Maine
  • The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate poverty in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in DC

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. DC

ComparisonMaineDC
Political Make-upIndependent-leaning and mixed; large share of unenrolled voters; competitive statewide races; often splits tickets.Overwhelmingly Democratic; supermajority Democratic registration; elections largely dominated by Democratic candidates.
Local PoliticsMany towns use town meeting/select board governance; frequent citizen-initiated referendums; ranked-choice voting used for federal offices and many primary contests.Mayor-Council system under Home Rule with 8 wards and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions; laws and budget subject to congressional review; no voting members in Congress.
ReligionLess religiously affiliated than national average; relatively high share of religiously unaffiliated; affiliated residents are primarily Christian (Catholic and Protestant).More religiously diverse; broad mix of Christian denominations alongside Judaism, Islam, and other faiths; notable unaffiliated population as well.
  • Maine tends to lean independent-leaning and mixed with a large share of unenrolled voters and competitive statewide races; it often splits tickets in its political climate
  • DC, on the other hand, is often described as overwhelmingly Democratic with a supermajority Democratic registration and elections largely dominated by Democratic candidates
  • DC's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse with a broad mix of Christian denominations alongside Judaism, Islam, and other faiths; it also has a notable unaffiliated population
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated than the national average, with a relatively high share of religiously unaffiliated individuals; affiliated residents are primarily Christian, including Catholic and Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to DC

ComparisonMaineDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Orono
University of Southern Maine
Portland
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine
George Washington University
Washington
Georgetown University
Washington
Howard University
Washington
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFalmouth Elementary School
Falmouth
Yarmouth Elementary School
Yarmouth
Waynflete School
Portland
Lafayette Elementary School
Washington
Janney Elementary School
Washington
Key Elementary School
Washington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsFalmouth Middle School
Falmouth
Greely Middle School
Cumberland
Waynflete School
Portland
Deal Middle School
Washington
Hardy Middle School
Washington
Jefferson Middle School Academy
Washington
Top 3 High SchoolsFalmouth High School
Falmouth
Cape Elizabeth High School
Cape Elizabeth
Yarmouth High School
Yarmouth
Woodrow Wilson High School
Washington
School Without Walls High School
Washington
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Washington
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School
Portland
Cheverus High School
Portland
North Yarmouth Academy
Yarmouth
St. Albans School
Washington
Sidwell Friends School
Washington
Georgetown Day School
Washington
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School
Portland
North Yarmouth Academy
Yarmouth
Cheverus High School
Portland
Sidwell Friends School
Washington
Georgetown Day School
Washington
National Cathedral School
Washington
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth School Department
Yarmouth Schools
Cape Elizabeth School Department
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
Friendship Public Charter Schools
EL Haynes Public Charter School

How Much Do Maine to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 671 miles from Maine to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,345300 ft3$4.48
1 Bedroom$1,999450 ft3$4.44
2 Bedrooms$3,300750 ft3$4.40
3 Bedrooms$4,7931100 ft3$4.36
4 Bedrooms$6,9041600 ft3$4.31
5+ Bedrooms$7,6901800 ft3$4.27